The Ambassador Alfred Hoffman, Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

The Ambassador Alfred Hoffman, Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

The Ambassador Alfred Hoffman, Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy is dedicated to building secure, sustainable, and ethical mineral supply chains to meet the defense and manufacturing needs of America and our allies.

The dynamic landscape for critical minerals is shaped by policy developments across various countries, institutions, and agencies. A comprehensive approach to effectively implement and harmonize existing policies across minerals-consuming countries—while strengthening efforts to work in partnership with like-minded and resource-rich countries—is needed. Together this two-pronged strategy will level the playing field, ensure high standards are met, and secure critical mineral supply chains.

Accelerating our mineral security objectives while staying true to its mission of facilitating “A Global Race to the Top,” the Minerals Center focuses on the following pivotal areas: 

  • Ensuring critical mineral supply chain transparency, from extraction to recycling.
  • Bolstering midstream processing and recycling to incentive domestic and allied production of batteries, permanent magnets, and other technologies necessary for the 21st century economy.
  • Aligning domestic policies with multilateral commercial diplomacy efforts and trade policy.
  • Infusing critical mineral policies with private sector and investor perspectives.
  • Advancing critical mineral production capabilities in lower-income resource-rich countries.
  • Strengthening critical mineral alliances and supporting the creation of a resilient supply chain across our allies.
  • Identifying existing critical mineral policies and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of potential substitutes in the energy and defense sectors to inform what is needed as we look towards the future.

The Minerals Center operates internationally, analyzing critical minerals and accompanying policies in resource-rich and like-minded consuming countries. The Minerals Center’s policy recommendations are geared towards a domestic United States audience. On a global scale, the Minerals Center works to develop European policy recommendations in coordination with SAFE’s European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES) and is growing its global footprint through numerous initiatives and programs.

News & Events

STATEMENT: SAFE responds to the Trump Administration’s Section 232 Investigation into Critical Minerals
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STATEMENT: SAFE responds to news about a potential Ukrainian-American rare-earth mineral deposits deal
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Politico GreenWire: 5 ways the Trump tariffs will hit US energy
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PRESS RELEASE: SAFE Unveils Report on Critical Minerals: “Resources for Resources: Financing Critical Mineral Supply Chains”
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copper mine, Minas de Riotinto, Andalusia, Spain
Resources for Resources: Financing Critical Minerals Supply Chains
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WEBINAR: Resources for Resources: Financing Critical Minerals Supply Chains
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SAFE Reports

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Beyond Takeoff: Policy Strategies to Build the Infrastructure Future for Advanced Air Mobility
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copper mine, Minas de Riotinto, Andalusia, Spain
Resources for Resources: Financing Critical Minerals Supply Chains
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CGS-Front-Picture-1024x779
Wired for Defense: The National Security Imperative of Transmission Expansion
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Minerals Center Team

Abigail Hunter

Executive Director, Center for Critical Mineral Strategy

Abigail Hunter is the Executive Director of SAFE’s Ambassador Alfred Hoffman Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy (Minerals Center). Previously, Abigail served as Director of International Affairs and Partnerships within the Minerals Center. In this role, she nurtured existing and new SAFE partnerships to advance sustainable and ethical supply chains amongst allies and like-minded countries.

Before joining SAFE full time, Hunter headed federal government affairs for Quebec for nearly three years as the senior attachée in Washington, D.C. Her mandate focused on the energy, environment, and trade relationship between the province and United States. Hunter started her career at the National Governors Association, where she led the association’s international work.

Hunter completed her Masters in Sustainable Energy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Her four-part capstone on aluminum’s clean energy paradox was published by the SAFE Center for Strategic Industrial Metals. She received her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University with a double major in International Management and Managing for Sustainability.

Born in Toronto and growing up in New Jersey, Hunter is a proud dual citizen and conflicted hockey fan.

Jocelyn Trainer

Policy Analyst, Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

Jocelyn Trainer is a policy analyst for the Center for Critical Minerals Strategy at SAFE. Her work focuses on securing responsible and sustainable critical mineral supply chains through practical domestic policy and strong alliances.

In previous roles, she worked on energy, economics, and security at CNAS, inclusive peace processes at the United States Institute of Peace, international institutions and global governance at the Council on Foreign Relations, and nuclear security and nonproliferation at CRDF Global. Trainer was a 2022 Graduate Fellow with the United Nations Association with the National Capital Area.

Trainer holds an M.A. in security policy studies with a concentration in conflict resolution from the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. She received a B.A. in political science, a B.A. in Spanish, and a minor in international relations from Loyola Marymount University.

Zoe Oysul

Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Critical Mineral Strategy

Zubeyde (Zoe) Oysul joined SAFE in 2020 and currently serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy. In this role, she conducts research and analysis to develop actionable policy solutions that address the complex challenges facing the critical minerals sector. Her expertise encompasses critical mineral and energy technology supply chains, responsible mining practices, geopolitical dynamics, and international trade. Zoe holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Economics from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Arts with a focus on global energy, resource, and environmental policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Erasto Almeida

MINVEST Manager, Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

Erasto Almeida is the MINVEST Manager at SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy.

Erasto is a seasoned external affairs executive with extensive experience in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, and international relations. His career spans senior roles in the mining, logistics, and consulting sectors, where he has successfully developed and implemented global strategies to address critical political and regulatory challenges, particularly in safety and sustainability.

In his current role as MINVEST Manager at SAFE, Erasto oversees the public-private partnership between the U.S. State Department and SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, advancing efforts to establish diverse, secure, and sustainable critical minerals supply chains. Previously, Erasto managed Vale SA’s external affairs team and worked as a senior analyst at the political risk consulting firm Eurasia Group in New York, focusing on the energy and mining sectors. Erasto holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a J.D. equivalent from the University of São Paulo. Fluent in four languages, he brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to fostering the development of the critical minerals industry.